SILVER SPRING, MD—As the Montgomery County Department of Parks continues discussions with the Montgomery County Revenue Authority and Executive Branch on the future of Sligo Creek Golf Course, the Department of Parks today announces it will postpone the community meeting scheduled for September 9.
“It makes sense to hold off our consideration of long-term uses for this park while public discussions continue regarding the current operations,” said Director of Parks Mary Bradford. “To ensure we have the most productive community dialogue on future public use of this property, we think it best to postpone this meeting. We remain committed to working with all involved to reach a responsible and satisfactory solution.”
In late July, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett urged delay in closing Sligo Creek Golf Course and called upon the County Council to appropriate funds to continue operations of the course for up to two years while options are reviewed to make the facility self-supporting for the long term. The County Council’s Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) committee is expected to take up the issue of Sligo Creek Golf Course on September 24. The Montgomery County Revenue Authority, current operator of the course, has stated it intends to cease golf operations at Sligo on October 1, 2009.
“As needed, we will reschedule this community meeting prior to the Montgomery County Planning Board’s review of any park proposals for future reuse of the property,” said Department of Parks Park Planning Supervisor Brooke Farquhar. “However, we are preparing an interim operations plan to protect Sligo Park after the Revenue Authority pulls out in October, with general maintenance guidelines and permissible passive park uses. This will be presented to the Planning Board in September, but the long term plan concepts will not be presented at this time.”
The Planning Board has extended the deadline for parks staff delivery of a long term draft Sligo Park master plan from October 1 to November 5, tentatively. A public hearing date for this winter on the draft master plan would be set at the November 5 Planning Board meeting.
For updates on the planning process, visit www.SligoCreekGolf.org.
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Contact:
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866